A couple weeks ago, we had the pleasure of hosting a group of creative minds from Vans for a special 3 day Board Blitz. They put their L.A. lives aside for a few days, slowed down to the pace of a New England winter and learned to take it one spokeshave pass at a time.

We broke them down into teams of two, with each duo building a different shape including a 5’10″ Waka, 6’5″ Seed and 9′ Root. By the end, after sharing a lot of laughs and even more lobsters, the teams came together and created some seriously beautiful boards. But a picture (and video) speaks a thousand words.

Tait – from a local New England family – made the Van’s trip happen. Only seems right to give him the first photo.

Day two, three teams.

Installing hardware in a hollow board requires precise measurements. Get it wrong now, and you’ll pay later.

Johnny’s a natural born teacher.

There’s time to joke around and then there’s time to focus. Here’s a few shots of the class getting all zen on us.

Renee and Liam and their 5’10″.

Tait and Mike with their 6’5″.

Sean and Chase with their 9′,

Van’s Off the Wall Was Here: foot-print of Van’s sole dipped in black stain.

A special Van’s-checkerboard tailblock for the Root.

A FLY ON THE WALL from Joe Carter.

A big thanks go to Joe Carter from Get in the Van for coming out and filming the madness.